Nipun Dananjaya and all-rounders seal stunning win over Aussies

A fine all-round performance by the youth Sri Lankan team steered them past a strong Australian U19 outfit for a thrilling 3-wicket win. The 3-day match was played at the SSC grounds in Colombo.

With just 20 overs remaining in the day, the hosts were expected to put up a matured batting effort for a win which was not a cakewalk. Living up to the need of the hour the Sri Lankans reached the required target of 112 runs in the last over of the day with just 2 balls to spare.

Kamil Mishara’s century gives Sri Lanka U19 lead over Aussies

The Sri Lanka U19 team put up a formidable performance against the Australia U19 team going past the 1st innings score…

After a poor start for the chase, skipper Nipun Dananjaya stood up firmly with all his experience to take control of the run-chase. Centurion in the 1st innings Kamil Mishara was dismissed for 8 runs after fellow opener Thaveesha Abhishek went for a duck.

Dananjaya played a mentor’s role with in-form Mohamed Shamaaz in the non-strikers end as Shamaaz scored 22 runs in 26 deliveries with a four and a six. Sri Lanka were well in control of the required run rate thanks to that little cameo by Shamaaz. Unfortunately following his dismissal, experienced batsman Sonal Dinusha got out for another low score. He became Zak Evans’ 4th scalp of the innings and Evans was in top form accounting to all 4 Sri Lankan wickets that had fallen until then.

Then walked-in all-rounder Chamindu Wijesinghe who steadied the run-chase with 3 fours and a six. He gave the much needed impetus to the chase with his skipper playing a vital anchor role at the other end.

An unfortunate run out meant curtains to Dananjaya’s innings. He had scored 35 runs in the 32 deliveries faced which also included 3 fours and a six. Anyway Sri Lanka were just 18 runs behind the required target with 20 balls remaining.

Zak Evans who then strengthened the Aussie side of the scale, claimed 2 more wickets in the 19th over of the innings. Wijesinghe was dismissed for 29 and Chihan Kalindu for a duck.

Four runs were needed in the last over with all-rounder Sandun Mendis and Rohan Sanjaya at the crease. After two singles in the 2nd and 3rd deliveries of the over, Mendis sealed the game for the hosts with a boundary.

Read More: Rohan Sanjaya shines for Sri Lanka U19 on opening day

Early in the day after Sri Lanka had declared their innings for 309, 40 runs ahead of the tourists, Sandun Mendis and Rohan Sanjaya wrecked the Australians sharing 8 wickets equally among them. Jarrod Freeman was the only successful Australian batsman in that inning, remaining unbeaten on 52. His 74-run stand for the 8th wicket with leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha was the only period of play for the Aussies to cherish today, otherwise which was a day to forget for them.

The Australians will leave the Island ending a 15-day long tour with the 2-1 Youth ODI series win under their belt while the Sri Lankans keep the trophy for the only Youth Test.